Randy Smith
When Josh Heupel was hired as Tennessee's head football coach in 2021, there was one big question that stood out. Can this guy recruit? Well, after looking at his last couple of classes and his future recruiting groups...the answer is yes. The most recent standout making a commitment to Heupel is four-star quarterback Faizon Brandon from Greensboro, NC. Brandon is listed as the number 32 prospect in the class of 2026 and he chose the Vols over LSU, Alabama and N.C. State. He's the first member of the class of 2026 to commit to Heupel and he will join a crowded quarterback room when he finally arrives on campus.
If Brandon does sign with Tennessee, he'll join four-star 2024 commit George MacIntyre as well as 2024 signee Jake Merklinger...also a four-star recruit.
If those guys actually sign with the Volunteers it will mark the fourth straight cycle with a top-ten quarterback after failing to sign one for six straight cycles from 2017-2022. In other words...Heupel is getting the job done.
The Vols' starter for the 2024 season is another four-star quarterback, Nico Iamaleava who is already stirring up Heisman Trophy talk and he's only started one game at Tennessee.
Quarterback isn't the only position Heupel is cashing in on. He's also getting commitments from some big time defensive standouts as well. The Vols' 2024 class is currently ranked 14th nationally and the class of 2025 for the Big Orange is rated 10th nationally and that's subject to change. As far as what the Volunteers put on the field for this fall is concerned, no one knows for sure what to expect. I picked them to finish fifth in the SEC this fall and a lot of Tennessee fans are hoping for a higher spot in the standings.
Josh Heupel is now 27-12 in three seasons at Tennessee and his overall record of 55-20....that's a winning percentage of .733. His prior coaching stint at Central Florida impressed a lot of folks in college football as he gained a reputation of high scoring, quick strike offenses as he comprised a mark of 28-8. I can remember a lot of Tennessee fans being skeptical of his hire with the Vols but after his great start, they are skeptical no more.
In addition to great high school recruiting classes, Heupel has also done well with the Transfer Portal. For this fall, he's brought in eight with half of those being four-star players. There is no doubt the talent level in Knoxville is better than it's been in maybe twenty years or so. Only Phillip Fulmer has brought in this kind of talent and he was as good as there was out there. With the NIL and Transfer Portal in play, the competition is much greater but with Heupel at the helm, the Vols are in good shape.
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Randy Smith can be reached at rsmithsports@epbfi.com